Machine for folding collars, cuffs, &amp;c.



B. W. TUCKER. MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLARS, GUPPS, das.

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B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLARS, GUFFS, &c. APPLICATION FILED APB. 22, 1909.

1,086,422. Peeenned Feb. 1o, 1914.

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MACHINE FOR FOLDING GOLLARS, GUFFS, dac. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909.

1,086,422.` Patented Feb. 10,191.4.

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CuLUMBlA PLANoan/PH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c,

B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLARS, GUFFS, dw. .IePPLIoMJIoN FILED APR. 2'2, 1909.

1,086,422. Patented Feb.1o,1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

COLUMBIA PLANoGR/PH CO.,\VASHINGTON. D. c.

B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE POR FOLDING COLLARS, CUFPVS, Gnu. APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909.

' 1,086,422. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CD..w^SHiNGToN, D. c'.

B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE PoR FOLDING COLLARS, GUPPS, am.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909. 1,086,422. Patented Feb.10,1914.

11 SHEBTS-SHEET 6.

COLUMNA PLANoGRAml C0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLARS, OUPFS, 6:0.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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B. W. TUCKER.

MACHINE POR FOLDING COLLARS, CUFPS, 6m.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 22, 1909.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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CLUMIA PLANOGRAFH 'CD. WASHINGTON, D. C

B. W. TUCKER. MACHINE PoR FOLDING GOLLARS, GUFPS, &C. A1PLICATION FILED AVPR. 22, 1909.

1,086,422, l Patented Feb. 10, 1914.l

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CGLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINUTON. D. c.

B. W. TUCKER. MACHINE FUR FOLDING COLLARS, CUFFS, &c. APPLICATION FILED APR. 2'2, 1909.

1,086,422. Patenteweb. 10, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 11.

COLUMBIA PLANoamYPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

BENJAMIN W. TUCKER, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLARS, CUFFS, 86C.

To all whom t may concern:

Ile it known that I, BENJAMIN W. TUCKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of South Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Folding Collars, Cuffs, &c., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates more particularly to an end-folding machine for folding the ends of and delining the line of fold for what are known as standing collars after the latter have been stitched and before the collars are turned inside out to be inserted into the collar band.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient machine in which the collar blank after the several plies comprising the same have been stitched along one edge and at the ends, may have the ends infolded at a point slightly beyond the line of stitching in order to define properly the folding line and to permit the collar blank to be properly turned inside out with thev cheaper grade of material on the inside as is usual in the manufacture of collars of this kind, the purpose being to turn one facing over the edge of the lining and other facing to present a smooth edge with the stitching on the inside or blank so far as the exposed part of the collar while being worn is concerned.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will simultaneously infold both ends of the collar blank so that it will. not be necessary to turn the blank endfor-end, thus saving much time and labor and overcoming the objections incident to the ordinary method of manufacturing suoli articles, at the same time producing much better results than by the usual method.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a machine in which the templet or die may be readily adjusted to suit different sizes of collars and the like; to provide a machine in which the parts may be automatically operated so as to avoid the necessity for operating the several parts of the machine manually and independently of each other, and to provide simple infolding mechanism which cooperates with the templet to infold the article.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and etlicient means whereby the collar or article may be initially folded and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 22, 1909.

Patented Feb. 10,1914. Seriana-191,558.

pressed while the templet plates are held in an expanded position and the blank after being folded automatically removed by means carried by the initial pressing mechanism, and after being removed given a final and complete pressing and ironing effect independent of the folding mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and eflicient means for positively carrying and conveying the blanks from the initial pressing mechanism to the final pressing mechanism.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specilication, and will then be pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of one form of machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4.- is a detail plan view of the initial pressing device. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the initial pressing device, showing the means for heating and pressing the blanks and for removing' the blanks after the edges have been infolded. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6a is a detail view of the cam for operating the initial presser mechanism. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper part of the presser device, showing the means for operating the blank-removing devices. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the infolders. Fig. 9 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the infolders and part of the operating mechanism therefor. Fig. l0 is a transverse seetion taken on the line X-X of Fig. 8, showing a part of the operating mechanism for the infolders. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation of the infolders. Fig. 12 shows a fragmentary view of the cam and lever connection for the infolders. Fig. 13 is a detail plan of the templet and support. Fig. 14e is a front elevation, partly in section, of the templet and support, together with a part of the operating mechanism therefor. Fig. l5 is a side elevation of the templet, showing a part of the machine frame in section, and the means for adjusting parts of the templet. Fig. 152* is a side elevation, partly in section, of the templet contracting and expanding operating means. Fig. 1G is a view similar to Fig. l5, except that the templet is in an elevated position. Fig. 17 is a plan view of the templet plates in a contracted or collapsed position. Fig. 1S is a detail plan view of the templet guiding bed forming a part of the templet support. Fig. 19 is a front elevation of the guiding bed shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 2O is a plan view of the slide or member for carrying one of the templet plates. Fig. 21 is a vertical section of the slide shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 shows an elevation of the cam for elevating the templet above the infolders, and for releasing the templet and mechanism in its elevated position. Fig. 23 is a fragmentary section, showing in front elevation, the second or 1final pressing means and the conveyer. Fig. 24 is a fragmentary front elevation of the final pressing device, the conveyer belt being shown in section. Fig. 25 is a transverse section of the pressing member of the device'shown in Figs. 23 and 24. Fig. 26 is a fragmentary side elevation of the Jiinal pressing means, and the conveyer for moving the blanks in position to be pressed. Fig. 2t?l is a fragmentary detail iiew, partly in section, siowing the cam for operating the pressing member of the final pressing device. Fig. 27 is an enlarged vertical section, partly in elevation, of the conveyer drum and part of the mechanism for operating the same. Fig. 23 is a detail perspective view, showing the means for varying the throw or feed of the blank conveyer belt. Figs. 29 to 32 show means for supporting the blank conveyer. Figs. 33 to 35 show one form of clutch mechanism for stopping and starting the machine. Figs. 36 to 42 show the various movements of the templet, infolders and initial pressing device in folding blank. Figs. 43 and 44 are views sho fing the action of the final pressing device; and Figs. 45 and 46 are plan and edge views respectively of the blank after the same has been folded at its ends.

in the drawings I shall show and describe the invention as applied to an end-folding machine which is particularly adapted for simultaneously infolding the edges of standing collars at the ends thereof, but it will be understood that many of the features of the invention are adapted for use in connect-ion with other folding machines, as for example for folding other forms of collars, cuffs and the like, and that while the parts are shown as being operated automatically, the said parts may be operated by hand or otherwise as desired, and that the arrangement of the parts, and particularly the form of the templet. and infolders may be changed to adapt the same for folding different kinds of articles.

rllhe frame 10 may be of any suitable construction, and may be formed of the side sections or pieces 11, and extending transversely of the frame is a bed 12 serving to i,ose,422

rigidly hold the frame side pieces or members together. Above the bed or table 12 are the bracket or frame members 13 which are located at the sides of the machine, and forming a part of the frame and located at the front and rear of the machine between the members 13 are the brackets or supports 14 and 15. 1n the brackets 14, and extending through the bed or table 12, are shafts 16 on which the templet bed 17 of t-he support or frame 13 is adapted to move, the said bed 17 being provided with lugs 19 which are adapted to tit about the shafts 16 and slide thereon when the said support and its bed 17 is elevated as will be presently described. This bed 17 is provided with a groove 20, Fig. 18, extending lengthwise thereof, and with ribs 21 located on opposite sides of the groove 2O to which the guides 22 are secured, the said guides forming grooves in which the templet devices, slides or members 23 are adapted to move. The templet slides 23, Figs. 13 to 21, may each be providedL with projecting portions adapted to ht under the plates or guides 22 and in the groove 20, so as to be properly held to the bed 17 and said slides 23 may each comprise two parts or members 24 and 24a, the latter forming the means for the slides to move along the bed 17. As shown there are two slides 23, each adapted to move lengthwise of the bed or table 17, and the members 24 of each slide are provided with plates 25 which are secured to said members 24 by screws or otherwise, and extending over the plates 25 is the plate 26 which is fixed to a stationary support or bracket 27 extending upwardly from the bed 17. The plates 25 are made to conform to the shape of the collar, the ends of Vwhich areto be infolded, and extending from the member 25 of each slide 23 is a stud 28 which passes through a slot 29 in the bed 17 and is connected to a link 30. These links 30 are connected to the opposite ends of a rocking lever 31, so that when said lever is shifted, it will move the plates 25 toward or from each other to contract or expand the templet of which said plates form a part.

The slides 23 of the templet and which support the plates 25 may have the members 24 and 24a thereof relatively adjustable to adapt the templet plates to be shifted inward or outward for the purpose of shortening or lengthening the templet for different sizes of collars, the shape of the templet plates being made to correspond to the shape and size of the collars. r1`he member 24a of the templet slide is grooved, as at 33, and said groove is dovetailed to receive the part 34 of the member 24. A lug 35 extends upwardly from the member 24a, and rotatably held in said lug is a screw 36, the threaded end of which engages a threaded aperture in a lug 37 projecting downward from each of the members 11- of the slides 23, so that when the screwr or devices 3G are rotated, the two parts or members 2liand 2li may be adjusted relatively with respect to each other and the plates 25 of the templet brought closer together or moved farther apart as desired. lf the plates are to be moved still farther inward, the part or member 9A may be turned end-forend and the plates 25 shifted accordingly when the latter may be moved in very close relation. By having the slides arranged in the manner shown, the templet plates are provided with a rigid support which may be readily adjusted, and which may be moved inward or outward to expand or to contract the plates.

To elevate the templet and to rock the lever 31 to contract and expand the plates 25, I provide on the guiding bed 17 of the tcmplet frame or support a plurality of lugs 3S, and pivoted to said lugs are links 39 and 40. rfhe link is pivotally held to an arm del secured to a shaft e152, and the link l0 is pivotally held. to an arm 113 also secured to the shaft ft2, and extending outward from the shaft l2 is an arm lil to which is connected a rod 45. The rod or link 45 is connected to an arm 46, and this arm has a boss or hub portion 17 which is held to rock on the shaft d8, and extending on the opposite side of the hub portion l? is an arm 49 forming a lever, one end Of which carries a trundle 5.0 which is adapted to move in the groove of a cam 51, the latter being held to the drive shaft 52 which is journaled in the machine frame, so that when the shaft 52 is rotated, the arm 49 will be rocked on the shaft d8 and through the rod l5 will elevate the templet support and frame, and templet or lower the same according to the position of the cam. The cam is provided with a og or cutaway part, as 5l, to release the templet and mechanism connected therewith while in its elevated. position, to permit the templet to lower a certain distance after it has been elevated for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

rfhe lever 31 of the templet is secured to a shaft 53, Fig. 14, and this shaft is provided with a key so as to have a sliding connection with the shaft the latter shaft being provided with a recess at one end and a, keyway or groove in which the key may tit, so that said shaft 58 may be rotated when the shaft 55 is rotated and to bc moved relatively to said shaft with the tcmplet when the latter is elevated er lowered. E his shaft 55 has its lower end journaled in a frame beam or member 56 extending transversely of the machine, and secured to said shaf is a pinion or toothed wheel 57, which is adapted to be engaged by the teeth of an internally toothed segment 58. The segment is held to rock on a stud 59, and projecting from the segment is an arm 60 carrying a 'roll or trundle 61 which engages a cam groove 62, Fig. 2, in a cam 63 secured to the drive shaft 52, so that as the drive shaft rovformer being in the form of flat plates supported by the brackets 15, and. the latter being supported from the frame members 13. The guides 65 are formed to correspond to the shape of the style of collar to be made, and with the guides 6i are intended to properly position the blank over lthe tcmplct before the same is raised or elevated to move the blank above the infolder mechanism 6G. rllhis infolder mechanism may have the end infolder plates G7, and said. plates or infolders are provided with ribs G8 which are adapted to fit in the grooves G9 of the blocks 70. The plates or in folders G7 may conform substantially to the shape of the ends of the collar or article to be infolded, and may be provided with slots 71 through which pass the screws 'T2 to adapt the infolders to be adjusted along the blocks 70. rlhe blocks are connected together by a brace bar T3, and in each block is a dovetailed groove T-l in which lits the bar or slide 75. There are two bars 75, and these bars are held stationary to the brackets 15 extending upward from the machine table 12, and said blocks are adapted to slide inward and outward along the bars 7 Each block 70 carries a rack 7 8, and said rack has its teeth engaged by a pinion 79, Figs. 9 and 10, which are secured to the shafts 16 so that when said shafts are rotated, the pinions will impart a reciprocatory movement to the blocks either toward or from each other according to the direction of rotation of the pinions. The shafts 1G are each provided with a bevel gear 80, and these bevel gears are in mesrL with segments 81 and 82 located at the torward and rear part of the machine. The segments 82 are held to a shaft 88, while the segments 81 are held to a shaft 8l, and meshing with the segments 81 and SQ at one end of the machine are the bevel gears 85, whereby both shafts S3 and Set, and the segments 81 and S2 may be made to move in unison, and during such movement to cause the p inions 79 tlirough the rack TS to move the blocks 7G and infolders GT toward or from each other in unison. An arm SSG is secured to one of the shafts, as Set, and to this arm is connected a link 87. The link it? connects to an arm 88, Fig. Q, of a lever S9 which pivoted to rock on the shaft Lt8, and on one end of said lever is a trundle 90 which enters lfitl the attei'idant.

the cam groove 91 in a cam 92, Fig. 12, secured to the drive shaft 52. As the drive shaft 52 rotates, the cam 92 will rock the lever 89 and through the arm 88 will move the segments 31 and 32 in unison, and will move the infolders toward or from each other as already explained. The cam 92 is so made and timed that the infolders will move a distance substantially equal to the size of the templet plates when expanded, so that when the templet plates are raised, the outer edge of the collar or article will be forced downward in order that the infolders when moved inward will force the edges of the blank at the ends under the templet. The cut-away portion 51aM of the cam 51 releases the templet plates after the infolders have moved far enough inward to fold the blank, and this permits the templet plates and elevating mechanism to lower and cause the blank at its folded portions to be held between the templet plates and the infolders.

1t is desirable that the blanks be heated and pressed after being folded about the templet plates, so that the folding edge will be clearly defined at the ends and the articles retain their folded position. This may be done before the templet plates are collapsed or contracted, and while still holding the article by the templet over t-he infolders to cause the pressing to take place before the templet plates are withdrawn. For this purpose a heating and pressing head or device 93 is provided. This device f is best shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and is positioned above the templet and infolding mechanism, and is normally located to the rear of the machine to permit the blanks to be readily placed on the templet plates by The pressing and heating device may be of any suitable construction, and may be heated in any desired way. The said device 93 may have a member 93a provided with suitable electric coils within the same, which may be included in an electric circuit so as to heat the plate or table part 94 to the desired degree, the said electric circuit being indicated by the wires 95 of Figs. and 5, though any other heating means may be employed. The member 93a is supported from a cross-head or yoke 96, and this yoke is provided wit-h sleeves 97 at its ends in which are held the arms or rods 93. The sleeves 97 are recessed, and in said recessed portions are arranged springs 99, above which are collars 100 fo-rming a yielding connection between the rods 98 and the cross head or yoke 90. The arms or rods 93 have their lower ends bent inwardly and are provided with slots 101 in which the ends of studs 102 tit, the said studs being held to the machine frame and serving to guide the ends of the rods to permit the same to have a swinging upward and downward movement. An arm or lever 103 is connected to each rod 98, and said levers 103 are secured to short shafts 104 located under the table 12 at each end thereof, and on each of said shafts is a segment or toothed disk 105. Each segment 105 is in mesh with a large segment 106, and the segments 106 are secured to the shaft 107, and to the shaft 107 is secured an arm S which is connected to a rod 109. The lower end of the rod 109 is connected to a lever 110, which is pivoted at 111 to the machine frame, and said lever is provided with a roll or other means which enters a groove 112 in a cam 113 secured to the shaft 52. As the shaft 52 is rotated, the cam 113 will impartmovement to the rod 109, and through the shaft 107 and the segments 105 and 10G will force the yoke 96 and the presser and heating device, and other means carried thereby, inwardly and downwardly so as to engage the blanks to properly press the fold before the templet plates are withdrawn. The cam 113 may be constructed to impart two motions to the presser device 93, one to engage the blank with a slight pressure, and the other with a heavy or full pressure, though it will be understood that the presser device may be made to exert a full pressure while the templet plates are in position, or said device may be made to act in any other desired way.

The blanks, as before stated, are raised above the infolders by the templet, and the pressing of the blank by the device 93 takes place while the templet plates are expanded. After the blanks are folded by the infolder mechanism, the elevating mechanism for the templet should be released to permit the templet to adjust itself to the movement of the presser device. The cam 51 has its groove cut-away, at 51a, for this purpose, Fig. 22, to release the lifting mechanism so that the templet plates, in an expanded position, will fall back or lower on to the infolders, and the plates of the templet will adjust themselves to the action of the presser and will thereby permit a better pressing edect to be secured. By this means the pressing of the blank will take place between the presser device and the infolders before the templet plates are contracted or withdrawn.

rfhe articles after they are pressed may be automatically removed and deposited on a conveyer or other means without any handling whatever in position to be acted on by a second pressing device. To secure this, the presser member 9321 is provided with two angularly arranged apertures 115 in which movably held the needles 116 and 117. The needle 116 is adjustably held to a rod 11S, and this rod is connected by an arm 119 to a shaft 120 extending transversely of the yoke or head 9G. An arm 121 is connected by a rod or link 122 to an arm 123 which is held at one end to a transverse shaft 124 and on the opposite end of said shaft 124 is an arm 125 and this arm is connected by a link 126 to an arm 127 of a. bell-crank lever 128, which is pivoted to the yoke 96, at 129, and has its arm 130 arranged in the path of a lug or projection 131 extending outwardly from one of the collars 100. The shaft L24 carries an arm 132, and to this arm is held a rod or bar 138, which carries the needle 117, so that when the liiell-crank lever 128 is operated by the movement of one of the rods 98, the rod or link 126 will force the needles 116 and 117 by means of the mechanism already described to extend beyond the. face of the plate 94 so as to pass through the article after it is folded., a spring 134 being provided to normally hold the shafts 120 and 124 in a position to force the rods 118 and .133 upward to carry the needles 115 and .117 within the device to cause the article to drop therefrom. By reason of the needles eX- tending at an angle they will properly enter the fabric forming the article, and will held the same as the device 98 is restored to its normal or starting position. The needles o are forced downward by the movement of the rods 98 as the article is being pressed, owing to the yielding connection between the rods 98 and the sleeves 97 of the yoke, which permits the bars to have a movemem independent of said yoke, and as soon as the needles are forced outward to engage the articles, a pawl 135 is made to engage the arm 130 of the bell-crank lever 128 to hold the needles in their outward position. This pawl 135 is nivoted at 136 to one of the sleeves 97 of the yoke 96, and is normally forced in one direction by a spring 137, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Thon the pressing device reaches the position shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the lower end 138 of the pawl will engage a stationary adjustable stop, as 139, arranged on a bracket 140, F ig. 1, and will release the arm 130 of the lever 128, and

7 as soon as the said lever is released the spring 134 will quickly force the needles within the member 93a of the presser device. This will cause the folded article to drop therefrom, so that the latter will be deposited on the apron or belt 141. The needles 116 and 117 may be held to the rods 118 and 133 by a collar forming a chuck 142, and said rods may be threaded and pro '.ded with a thumb nut 142EL to facilitate their being turned for adjustment.

11s the articles are dropped from the initial pressing device, they will be deposited on an apron, belt or member 141 serving as a conveyer which will cause the folded articles to be positioned under a second and final pressing device or element 148. The belt or apron 141, 1 to 3, and Figs. 26 to 32, is arranged en an incline so that the folded blank is adapted to be positively moved between the elements or members 144 and 145 of the device 148. As shown the member 144 is in the form of a table, and may be held to the machine frame in any desired way, and is arranged at an angle corresponding to the belt or apron, and said bed er table serves-to take the thrust of the heating and pressing member 145 while the blank is pressed. The relatively movable member 145 may be heated through the electric wires 146, or otherwise heated as desired, and said head or member is supported from a yoke or cross beam 147. This beam 147 has bolts 148 passing therethrough to secure thel head or member 145 thereto, and said beam has bosses 149 at its ends to which are held the rods 150, and said rods 150 pass throiigh bosses 151 formed as a part of the brackets 152 which extend outward from the machine table 12. i spring 153 is arranged around each of the rods 150, and on the outer ends of said rods are nuts 154 for holding the rods to the yoke 147, and said springs 153 serve to form a yielding connection between the yoke 147 and the sleeves 151 and tend normally to force the movable member 145 away from the fixed member or bed 144. `'Each of the rods 150 is provided with collars 155 between which is held the bifureated end of an arm 156, and these arms are secured to a transversely-extending shaft 157. On the shaft 157 is held an arm 158, and. this arm is connected by a rod 15S) to a bellcrank lever 160, the latter being pivotally held on the shaft 48 and having its lower end provided with a roll or trundle 161 which is adapted to engage a cam groove 162 in a cam 163 which is held to the drive shaft 52. As the shaft is rotated the lever will rock, and through it will move. the shaft 157 so as to rock the arms 156, and

through said arms force the pressing and downward relatively heat-ing member 145l with relation to the bed or table 144. llhe pressing device 148 and the initial. pres device 93 are arranged in different horizontal planes and act on the blanks at different angles, the device 98 acting vertically and the device 143 at an angle with respect to the vertical movement'. of the templet. I the means described the blank may be finally pressed in such a way that the fold will be clearly defined, and the pressure of the device varied according to the nature of the article and its fold.

The conveyer 141 may be moved to positively earry the blanks after receiving the same from the initial pressing device to the second pressing device in any desired way. As shown the conveyer 141 is endless and passes around a roll 164 which is held to rotate on the ends of centering bolts 165, the latter being held in boxes or liiearings 166. The boxes are held to slide in the slotted ends of the brackets 167, and said brackets are located at the 4upper part of the machine yframe and are arranged to extend at substantially the same incline as the belt or apron 141, and at the opposite end of theY bracket 167 is a second roll 168 which is held to rotate on the ends of the centering bolts 169 which pass through and are located to the rear ends of said brackets 167. A large roll or drum'170 is held to a shaft 171', and said shaft is held to rotate in brackets 172 projecting outward from the machine frame. At one end of the shaft 171 is an arm 173, and this arm has a hub 17 et held to rotate or rock in one of the brackets 172 and through which the shaft 171 passes, and carried by the arm 173 is a pawl 171a which is adapted to engage the teeth of a ratchet wheel 175 secured to the outer end of the shaft 171. The pawl 174Ca is normally forced into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 17 5 by aspring 176, and carried by the toothed end of the pawl is a roll 177 which is adapted to be engaged by the edge of a cam plate 178 which is adjustable about the shaft 171. This cam plate or device 178 has its cam surface 179 arranged in the path of movement of the roll 177, and said cam device has one end, as 180, provided with a slot 181 through which passes a bolt 182 to adapt said device to be adjusted about the shaft 171. As will be seen, when the arm 173 is rocked, as will be presently described, the pawl will be correspondingly moved, and while the roll 177 engages the cam surface 179 of the cam device, the pawl will be held out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, but as soon as the roll is free of the cam device, the pawl will engage the teeth and rotate the ratchet wheel and through it the shaft 171 and the carrier belt 141 to positively move the blank under the pressing member of the final pressing device. By this means the throw of the shaft and carrier may be varied according to the position of the cam device 178, and the time when the pawl engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 17 5 is determined by the position of the cam device 178. The drum or roll 170 is prevented from moving backward by a pawl 183 or otherwise, and adapted to engage the arm 173 to move the same is a rod 184. This rod 181 is slotted at 185 at one end to provide a certain amount of lost motion in its connection with the arm 173, the shaft 186, serving as a pivot for the pawl 174g, being passed through the slot 185 and serving as a means of engagement for t-he rod 184 to rock the arm 173. The rod 184- is connected to a crank 187, and this crank is secured to the drive shaft 52, and said crank is so timed with relation to the movement of the pressing devices that when rotated it will rock the arm 173 and through the ratchet movement already eX- plained will impart a step-by-steg movement the carrier or belt 1411, and thereby positively convey or carry the initially pressed and folded blank between the members of the final pressing and heating device. The belt in this case will serve as a yielding surface and support for the blanks while being pressed, and as the belt is iiexible any unevenness in the surface of the blank while pressing will be compensated for.

rthe construction and operation of the parts thus far described will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the several steps while folding the blanks will be more read ily understood from the illustrations in Figs. 38 to 46. The parts as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are in their normal position, and the blank, as 188, Fig. 36, is placed upon the templet-former, or die so as to rest between the initial gages or guides (Se and G5 located adjacent thereto, the infolders being far enough apart to permit this. The templetfplates, in an expanded position are then moved vertically above the infolders, the infolders being previously moved inward far enough to permit the plates to pass by the same as shown in Figs. 36 to 38, which will cause the infolders to engage the edges of the blank and force the same downward. As this operation is being eected, the pressing and heating device 93 is being forced inward and downward so as to rest upon the blank or otherwise, while the infolding is taking place. nShe infolders are then forced farther inward, as shown in Fig. 39, and the templet elevating mechanism is released leaving the folded edges of the blank between the same and the infolders and the initial pressing device as shown in said figure The blank is pressed between the pressing device and the infolders while the teinplet plates are still expanded and held in this position, atthe same time applying heat to the folded article so that the same will retain its shape, and owing to the yielding connection between the yoke or cross-head 9G, the pressing head 93a may be made to give the desired pressure to the article, and the rods 98 permitted to .move downward independent of said yoke. After the article has been pressed, the templet plates will be collapsed or contracted by the rotary movement of the shaft 55, the smaller shaft 53, and the links 30 which connect with the lever 31 and to the slides 23 to move the templet plates carried thereby inward to the position, shown more clearly in Figs, 1 to 3, Fig. 17 and diagrammatically in Figs. 41 and 12. The infolders move inward and outward in unison, and after the initial pressing has taken place, the pressing device 93 will carry the folded blank away from the templet and infolders and will deposit the same on the carrier 1111. As one blank has been folded and initially pressed, another blank is finally pressed by the device 143, and at the proper time the blank, as it is deposited on the belt or conveyer 141, by releasing the needles 116 and 11'.7 as previously explained, will be positively moved under the pressing plate or member 145, by the ratehet-and-pawl mechanism which rotates the shaft 11 to move the belt or apron 1411 the proper distance. The pressed blanks after being finally pressed by the device 143 may be carried farther outward by 'the earrier 14:1 and deposited in a receiver or other means provided therefor.

The machine is preferably not operated continuously, and the drive shaft 52 which operates the several mechanisms is under the direct control of the attendant, and may be started and stopped at will, and the usual or any preferred means may be provided for this purpose. As shown the shaft is provided with a gear 189, and meshing with the gear 189 is a pinion or gear 190 which is held to a shaft 191. 0n the shaft 191 is a drive pulley 192 by whicn the shaft 52 may be rotated, and on said shaft, and movable independent thereof is a clutch wheel. 193. This wheel or disk 193 is provided with two stops or teeth 1911 and 195 which are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 195 which is pivoted at 19T to the ma.- ehine frame, and on the outer end of which is arranged a treadle 198, Fig. 1, the said pawl being normally forced in one direction in the path of engagement of the teeth of the disk 198 by means of a spring 199. A collar 200 is secured to the shaft 52, and this collar carries a pawl 201 which is adapted to engage the teeth 202 forming a part of the Y gear 189, and carried by the collar 200 is a spring 203 which is arranged to force the pawl at the proper time into engagement with the teeth 202. rlhe pawl 201 is pivoted to the collar 200 and has one end adapted to be engaged by a springqiuressed bolt 2011-. This bolt 20e is normally forced outward by the spring 205 which has greater tension 'than the spring 203, and said bolt is arranged in a boss 206 carried by a disk 207 which is loosely arranged on the shaft t 2, and to which is held the wheel 193. rflic spring 20B normally forces the pawl 201 into engagement with one of the teeth 202 of the gear 189, the stop 208 carried by the disk 207 at this time engi'iging the projection or tooth 209 of the collar 206, and the bolt 204 resting against a part of the pawl 201. l-Vhen the pawl 190 engages either tooth 194e or 195, it will stop the disk 207 from rotatiecj and will also stop the parts carried the lby. The bolt 20% will now oompress the spring 208 and will force the pawl 201 out of engagement with the teeth 202, allowing the gear 189 to rota Ve independent of the shaft l1-2.

in this application l do not claim broadly the idea of two independent reciprocatory pressing and heating devices, one pressing while the templet plates are expanded and the other after the blank has been initially pressed and transferred from the templet, nor means whereby the blank may be caused to pass from one pressing device to another, as such means is disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. L184,940, filed March 22, 1909, and said mechanism may be of any suitable construction as the principal features of the present invention relate to the means for infolding the ends of a collar, and to the positive means whereby collar blanks, etc., may be positively conveyed from one pressing device to another.

From the foregoing it will be seen'that a simple and efficient machine is provided whereby the blanks of collars and the .like may be infolded at the ends and the line of folding clearly defined to adapt the saine to be readily turned inside out; that simple and efficient infolding and templet 1nechanism is provided for folding both ends of the collar simultaneously; that positive means is provided for moving the blank from one pressing device to another; that simple means is provided for operating the conveyer or carrier for the blanks, and that simple means is provided whereby various parts of the machine may be operated antomatically.

Having thus described my invention, .l clail i is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:-t

1. In an infolding machine, the combination with a vertically movable templet hav ing expanding and contracting plates, of mea-ns for folding the blank under the plates, means for pressing the blank before the templct is contracted, means for removing the blank from the templet after the latter has been contracted, means for pressing the folded blank after the samehas been removed, and a` carrier for positively moving the blank from one pressing means to the other.

1n an infolding machine, the combination with a support, of a templet having movable plates at its ends only for folding the ends of collar blanks, infolding mechanism having plates and coperating to simultaneously infold only the ends of the blanks under said templet plat-es, and means .for elevating the templet above the infolders to fold the edge of the blank downward.

3. ln an infolding machine.` the combination with a vertically movable templet, of infolders for folding the two ends only of a. blank, inwardly and downwardly moving pressing' means for the blank, means for removing the blank from the templet, reciprocatory means for pressing the folded blank after the same has been removed, and a positively moving carrier inclined with relation to the plane of the movement of the infolders for positively moving the blank from one pressing means to the other.

l. ln an infolding machine, the combination with a vertically movable templet having expanding and contracting plates, of infolders for folding the ends only of a blank, means for initially pressing the blank after the templet is contracted, means for removing the blank from the templet after the latter has been contracted, a second device angularly arranged with respect to t-he plane of the infolders for pressing the folded blank, and a movable conveyer for carrying the blank 1ander the second pressing Vdevice and providing a yielding surface t ierefor.

5. ln an infolding machine, the combination with a vertically movable templet having expanding and contracting plat-es, of movable infolders having folding edges passing under the templet plates in their folding movements for folding the blank edges under the templet plates, means for initially pressingthe blank, means for removing the blank, a second device for pressing the folded blank, and a movable flexible conveyor for carrying the blank under the second pressing device and providing a yielding surface therefor.

6. ln an infolding machin-e, the combination with a vertically movable templet having expanding and contracting plates, of means for folding a blank, an inwardly and downwardly moving device for initially pressing the blank, a second movable pressing device angularly arranged with respect to the vertical movement'I of the templet, and a carrier for moving the blank under said second pressing device.

7. The combination with a templet having expanding and contracting plates, of infolders movable toward and from the templet, reciprocatory means for heating and pressing the blank, means for releasing the templet plates to permit them to adjust themselves during the pressing operation and before being contracted, means for contractin g the templet, a second and independently movable heating and pressing device having two relatively movable members and located in a different horizontal plane to the other pressing means, and a carrier for transferring the blank from one pressing device to the other.

S. ln an end-infolding machine, the combination wita a vertically movable templet comprising expanding and contracting plates, means for folding the ends of a blank about the templet, a reciprocatory device for initially pressing the blank before the templet is contracted, means carried by said device for removing the blank from the templet after the latter has been contracted, a movable heating and pressing head, and a device for bodily carrying the blank under said head.

9. In an infolding machine, the combination with a vertically movable templet having contracting and expanding plates forming a support for the blanks, of infolders movable inward toward the templet plates, initial guides for the blanks, means whereby the templet may be released to move freely vertically when the plates are contracted, initial pressing means, means for contracting the templet plates after the initial pressing, means for removing the blanks from the templet plates, a movable receiving device, and a second movable pressing device having a plurality of members one of which is movable adapted to receive the blank between them and to complete the pressing of the blank while held by 4said movable device.

l0. ln an end-infolding machine, the combination with a vertically movable templet having contracting and expanding plates .forming a support for the blanks, of infolders movable inward toward the templet plates at the ends only, initial guides for the blanks, means whereby the templet may be released to move freely vertically when the plates are contracted, initial pressing means, means for contracting the templet plates after the initial pressing, a movable and yielding receiving device, and a second movable pressing device having a plurality of members one only of which is movable adapted to receive the blank between them and to complete the pressing of the blank while held by said movable device.

ll. ln an infolding machine, the combination with a movable templet having contracting and expanding plates, of infolders movable inward toward the templet to fold the blank, a pressing device, means whereby the templet as a whole may be released without releasing the contracting mechanism, to adapt the templet plates to adjust themselves while the blank is being pressed, means for contracting the templet plates aft-er the blank has been pressed, receiver carrier belt, means for removing the blank from the templet plates and depositing the same on said belt., and a second movable pressing and heating device adapted to complete the pressing of the blank.

l2. In an end-infolding machine, the combination with a movable templet having contracting and expanding plates, of infc-lders movable inward toward the templet plate to fold the blank at the ends only, a pressing device, means for contracting the templet plate, a receiver carrier belt, means for removing the blanks from the templet plates and depositing the same on said belt, and a second movable pressing and heat-ine device adapted to complete the pressing or the blank, said belt having a blank carrying path inclined with relation to the plane of the infolders.

13. 1n an infolding machine, the combination with a templet, of infolders movable inward toward the templet plates, of an initial pressing device, an endless carrier having a blank carrying path inclined with relation to the plane of the infolders, means for removing the blanks from the templet and depositing the same on said carrier, and a second movable pressing device having independent relatively movable members adapted to receive the blanks between them and to complete the pressing of the blank.

14. 1n an infolding machine, the combina.- tion with a vertically movable templet having contracting and expanding plates, of infolders movable inward toward the templet plates, an initial pressing device, means whereby the templet may be released in its elevated position without the plates being contracted to permit the templet plates to adjust themselves during the pressing operation, means for contracting the templet plates after the initial pressing, a second movable pressing device having independent relatively movable members adapted to receive the blanks between them and to complete the pressing of the blank, together with a carrier for moving the blank from one pressing device to the other.

15. 1n an infolding machine, the combination with a templet having contracting and f expanding plates forming a support for the blanks, of infolders movable inward toward the templet plates, an initial pressing device, giiides for the blanks, means whereby the templet may be released as a whole without releasing the contracting mechanism to permit the templet plates to adjust themselves during the initial pressing operation, means for contracting the templet plates after the initial pressing, means for removing the blanks from the templet plates, a second movable pressing device, and a flexible carrying means for moving the blank bodily and yieldingly holding the same during the second pressing operation.

1G. 1n an infolding machine, the combination with a` templet having contracting and expanding plates forming a support for the blanks, of movable infolders, means for elevating the templet plates and the blank above the infolders, means adapted to move inward and fold the blank under the templet, two movable heating and pressing devices, and a carrier having a blank carrying path inclined with relation to the plane of the infolders for transferring the blanks from one device to the other.

17. 1n an infolding machine, the combination with a templet having contracting and expanding plates, of movable infolders, means adapted to move inward and fold the blank under the templet, two independent and reciprocatory heating and pressing devices, and an endless carrier having a blank carrying path inclined with relation to the plane of the infolders for transferring the blanks from one device to the other.

1S. 1n an infolding` machine, the combination with a templet, of means adapted to move inward and fold the blank, two independent pressing devices arranged in different horizontal planes, and a carrier independent of both pressing devices for tra nsferring the blank to the second pressing device.

19. The combination with a vertically movable templet having contracting and expanding plates, of infolders movable oward and from the templet, reciprocatory means fer pressing and heating the blank while the templet is released in ils elevated position and the plates expanded, means for contracting the templet plates, a second and independently movable heat-ing and pressing device, and an endless carrier having a blank carrying path inclined with relation to the plane of the infoldei's tor transferring Vthe blank from one pressing device to the other and yieldingly supporting the saine during the second pressing operation,

O. The con'ibination with means for folding and initially pressing a blank, of e second pressing device, means carried by the initial pressingl means for transferring the blank from the folding means, and a carrier receiving the bliink from the transfer means and moving the same in position to be pressed by the second pressing device.

21. The combination with a templet having contracting and expanding plates, of means for folding and pressing the blank before the templet is contracted, means foiI contracting the templet, transferring means for the folded blank, a second pressing device having a heating member and pressing member and located in a dill'erent horizontal plane from the initial pressing means, and a flexible carrier for positioning the blank between said members and serving as a yielding surface during the pressing operation.

22. In an infolding machine, the combination with means for folding a blank, of an initial pressing device cooperating with the folding means, a second pressing device comprising a normally fixed member and a movable member and located in a dillierent horizontal plane from the initial pressing device, an endless conveyor movable between. tlie members of the second pressing device for conveying the folded blank thereto, a drum about which the conveyor passes, and means for imparting a step-by-step movement to said conveyer.

23. In an infolding machine, the combi- 

